The construction of the approach road for the south-side extension of Dhanbad station is likely to be completed by March 31.

The 600m double-lane road, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore, is aimed at decongesting the main station complex, which witnesses a footfall of over 20,000 passengers per day.

The railways is working on another project worth Rs 80 lakh to install a divider and LED lights on the new road.

B.K. Singh, additional divisional railway manager (infrastructure) of Dhanbad division and senior divisional engineer (coordination), said: “We have fixed the target of completing the road by March 31”

The new approach road is also likely to ease the traffic congestion at Bank Mor.

The south-side extension complex comprising a waiting hall, an enquiry counter, an unreserved ticket counter, catering complex and a portico was inaugurated by the then general manager of East Central Railway Madhuresh Kumar on February 23, 2014.

It was built with the aim of easing the passenger load on the main station complex.

The facility helps a large number of passengers reach platforms 6,7 and 8 directly without having to cross the main station complex. It remained under-utilised till date because the existing approach road was too narrow.

The Dhanbad railway division began constructing a 600m new approach road along the old Jharia railway line from October 20 last year. Though the new road was scheduled to be completed by January 26, but protests by local residents led by social activist Ranjit Parmar led to delay.

The railways are also planning to beef up infrastructure at south-side complex. Platform 8 will be broadened to 20m from 12m.

A footbridge connecting the main station with the south-side extension is likely to be extended up to platform 8.